Architects shortlisted for prime minister's library

Caruso St John, the AOC and Hopkins have been shortlisted to design a new building at a grade I-listed Welsh landmark.

They are up against Scottish conservation practice Simpson & Brown.

They each receive an honorarium of £4,000 and go on to stage two, an invitation to tender.

The anonymised RIBA-organised competition is looking to find an architect to design a new building and re-develop the 19th-century Gladstone’s Library.

The institution, in Flintshire, is the UK’s only prime ministerial library and is unique in being a residential library.

Scheme B

It was established by William Gladstone, who was prime minister four times, in 1895 to promote his values and give poor people access to his collection of books.

After his death a purpose-designed home for 250,000 books and documents was built. The building and landscape are now grade I listed.

Its warden and director Peter Francis said Gladstone’s Library had been a victim of its own success, with 20,000 visitors a year.

Scheme C

The new building will provide facilities to expand it into the “most significant tourist destination in north-east Wales” with improved facilities for lectures, courses and other events and an exhibition on Gladstone’s legacy.

The project will also remodel and repair the listed building.

Francis said: “From a surprisingly large number of applicants we are excited by the proven standard, ability and range of the shortlisted architects. They represent the best of British design. We are confident that we will be able to produce a building of outstanding merit.”